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About this quote

What does it mean?
Shaw suggests that referencing his own previous work adds interest to dialogue.
In plain terms
Quoting yourself makes talking more interesting.
What can you take from it?
Use your own words to spice up conversation.

Where it applies

  • casual conversation
  • public speaking
  • writing

Putting it to work

  • reuse past insights
  • build personal narrative

Questions to consider

  • How often do you reference your past work?
  • Does self-quoting help or hinder connection?

Another view

It can seem self-absorbed if overused.

More from George Bernard Shaw

  1. I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig, you get dirty; and besides, the pig likes it.

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  2. If you have an apple and I have an apple, and we exchange apples, we both still only have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea, and we exchang…

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  3. I can forgive Alfred Nobel for inventing dynamite, but only a fiend in human form could have invented the Nobel Prize.

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